Bennett Trim Tab Tutorial

Why do I need Trim Tabs?

You may not be familiar with them, but you’ve probably experienced the
problems that trim tabs solve for boaters all over the world. After using
Bennett systems for years – and discovering just how durable and serviceable
they can be – our customers can’t imagine boating without them.

Do These Conditions Sound Familiar?

As
your boat slows from maximum speed, it begins to settle at the stern or
“squat,” creating an inefficient, untrimmed condition. At this attitude you
use more fuel to drive the boat.

As the boat pushes forward, it creates a “hill of water.” In this
bow-high position, visibility is limited and the hull bottom is pounded.
Also because of significant hull drag and extreme prop angle, fuel economy
is poor.

Uneven weight distribution makes your boat harder to handle, even harder
to get up on plane, and it causes your boat to list to one side. Your
passengers complain when you tell them to move from one side to the other.

As a boater you know that no two boating days are ever alike thanks to
ever-changing weight, weather and water conditions. Bennett Trim Tabs are
designed to adjust for these changing conditions and provide lift in order
to give you the best possible running attitude.

Get the Best Ride Possible

Bennett
Trim Tabs help your boat operate as intended over a broader range of
conditions. They give you more control than you ever had before. You can
improve the performance of your boat through properly sized trim tabs that:

Get you up on plane quickly

Allow you to plane at speeds lower than designed planing speed

Adjust the boat’s attitude for changes in speed, sea conditions and
shifting weight

Correct listing on either side of the boat

Bennett Trim Tabs reposition the boat’s bow to cut through the water.
This gives you several advantages:

Less drag and engine laboring, which translate into increased
performance, greater speed, and reduced fuel consumption

Reduced pounding, which means greater comfort

Greater visibility, which increases safety

Bennett Trim Tabs help your boat operate as intended over a broader
range of conditions. They give you more control than you ever had before.
You can improve the performance of your boat through
properly
sized trim tabs that:

Get you up on plane quickly

Allow you to plane at speeds lower than designed planing speed

Adjust the boat’s attitude for changes in speed, sea conditions and
shifting weight

Correct listing on either side of the boat

Bennett Trim Tabs reposition the boat’s bow to cut through the water.
This gives you several advantages:

Did We Mention Savings on Fuel?

Maintaining plane at a lower RPM is where the boat starts to achieve its
maximum efficiency. Trim tabs provide the additional lift so that the
throttle can be decreased without losing plane, adding both fuel economy and
range. Some boaters have experienced as much as 30% fuel efficiency gains.

With all the advantages and efficiencies created, Bennett Trim Tabs
virtually pay for themselves.

The Bennett Advantage

Performance:
Turn a teeth-jarring experience into a more comfortable ride.

Increase Speed

Reduce Pounding

Correct for Listing

Eliminate Porpoising

Offset Prop Torque

Efficiency:
Bennett Trim Tabs are one of the few boat accessories that can pay for
themselves. Some boaters have experienced as much as 30% fuel efficiency
gains.

Reduce Fuel Consumption

Reduce Engine Laboring

Eliminate Squatting

Reduce Engine Laboring

Safety:
Relax at the wheel thanks to greater control over your bow high position.

Improve Visibility

Reduce Wake

Improve Handling

Reduce Hull Stress

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Bennett Trim
Tabs and accessories?

Bennett Trim Tabs and accessories are available at just about all
marine retail dealers. Local, national chain stores, online
retailers and mail order catalog marine equipment dealers will be
happy to assist you in purchasing Bennett Marine products. See
our interactive map to locate a distributor near you. Note
that many of these distributors do not sell to the public but will
be able to refer you to a local dealer.

What are the right trim tabs
for my boat?

Many factors affect the choice of trim tabs for your boat. Visit
our sizing page to get the information to help you make
your choice! Keep in mind that performance boats (40-60 mph)
should use Performance
Sport Tabs. Bass, flats, and other small boats with
limited transom space should consider Tournament
Tabs or our M80
and M120 Sport Tabs. Also when making a choice between
trim tab sizes, remember that the largest trim tabs that will
comfortably fit on the transom will be the most efficient. Please
feel free to contact
us if you have questions regarding your specific
application.

Can I install Bennett Trim Tabs
myself?

Absolutely! While some boat owners may wish to have a dealer or
boatyard install their trim tabs, just about anyone who is handy
with a drill and screwdriver can install trim tabs. Bennett Marine
designs trim tabs so that the average do-it-yourself boater can
handle the installation in an afternoon. Depending upon the size
and construction of the boat, it should take about 4 or 5 hours
for installation.

Note: Damage to the trim tabs due to electrolysis is
not covered by warranty. For more information, select the “How to
protect your trim tabs from electrolysis.” panel below.

We take great pride in providing the best customer service
possible. A call to Bennett Marine regarding warranty or
troubleshooting will result in your satisfaction. If you have a
component in need of warranty replacement simply return it with a
note of instruction that includes your name, address, telephone
and email contact. Mail to:

I can't get access to the
inside of the transom to connect the hydraulic fittings. What do I
do?

One
of the unique features of the Bennett Trim Tab system is the use
of concealed through-transom hydraulics. However, there are cases
of complete inaccessibility inside the transom, making the use of
the standard Bennett actuator difficult. For such instances, the Bennett
actuator is available with an external line connection. This
avoids the inaccessibility problem by allowing the hydraulics to
enter the transom at a location where there is no obstruction. If
you need external line actuators contact Bennett Marine to arrange
a no-charge trade for your standard actuators.

My transom has a swim platform
or other feature that limits the height where the actuators can
mount on the transom. Now what?

There
is an option for you – the “short” actuator. The short actuator’s
overall closed length measures 11.75 inches so it can mount lower
on the transom. It is 2 inches shorter than the standard actuator
that measures 13.75 inches. If you need short actuators for your
installation, contact Bennett Marine to arrange a no-charge
exchange of your standard actuators.

What type of fluid do I use in
the Hydraulic Power Unit, and where do I add it?

Use
any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Don’t worry about
the exact brand or type – it will all work, and can even be mixed.
To add fluid, remove the Lexan cover on the HPU, locate the
“filler stack” in the left front corner of the reservoir. There is
a round plug sealing the filler stack. Remove the plug and add
fluid to the full line on the reservoir. Note: Add fluid only with
the trim tabs fully retracted (up). If your reservoir does not
have a full line, add fluid so the fluid level is about 1 inch
below the top of the reservoir with the trim tabs fully retracted
(up). Your Bennett Trim Tab system should not need refilling for
several seasons.

What size fuse does my trim tab
system use?

On a 12 volt system use a 20 amp (24 volt will use 10 amp) in-line
fuse on the power lead to the helm control.

I keep my boat in saltwater. Do
I need to protect the trim tabs from corrosion?

To provide protection from electrolytic corrosion, a zinc anode
must be applied to each tab. The zinc must make direct contact
with the stainless steel. Do not ground trim tabs to other
underwater appendages.

See “How do I paint my trim tabs” below
if you plan to paint with anti-fouling paint.

How do I paint my trim tabs?

The secret to getting anti-fouling paint to adhere to your trim
tabs is proper priming, and the best people to tell you what to do
are the experts at the company that makes your anti-fouling paint.
We strongly suggest that you contact the paint manufacturer and
tell them you are painting “304 stainless steel” trim tabs, then
follow their recommendations to the letter! Remember, don’t paint
under the zincs.

How do I tell the position of
my trim tabs?

On
smaller boats, it is usually easy to tell where the trim tabs are
by visually sighting the horizon. Basically, you “feel” the boat’s
attitude. However, on larger boats, particularly those with raised
helm locations, it is a bit harder to tell where the trim tabs
are. For more precise control, Bennett offers three indication
options:

Adding the Tab
Position Indicator (TPI) will provide you with accurate,
easy-to-read indication of your trim tab position at all times.
Using the Tab Position Indicator also will allow you to easily
repeat the settings that are best for your boat.

Finally, consider our Electronic
Indicator Control (EIC5000). This combines three features
into one – precise manual control, trim tab indication and the
Auto Tab Retractor. Like the Tab Position Indicator, it is
waterproof, highly accurate and features variable intensity LEDs
for night or day. With the Auto Tab Retractor feature, just turn
off your ignition switch and your tabs automatically retract.

Bennett Marine Limited Warranty

(United States Only)

We at Bennett Marine,
(Bennett) are committed to product quality and customer
satisfaction. We’ve supported our products for more than
half a century and have earned a reputation for
exceptional service and support. In keeping with that
tradition Bennett provides a Limited Warranty for its
Products. Please see the table below for our Warranty
details.

Limited Warranty

Bennett warrants to the original purchaser and
subsequent owners, that Bennett will repair or
replace, at the discretion of Bennett, any part or
component manufactured by Bennett which is proven to
the satisfaction of Bennett to be defective, and which
failure has occurred under normal use and within the
warranty period. This Limited Warranty does not apply
to Products that have been damaged, or which fail, as
a result of causes other than manufacturing defects
(such as but not limited to electrical overloads,
electrolysis, casualty, fire, collision, improper
installation, lack of maintenance, exposure to
elements, alteration, or misuse). This warranty does
not cover damage to finishes. The warranty commences
from the first date a Product is purchased by the
customer. If the product is installed on a boat by an
OEM then the warranty commences on the first day on
which the first retail customer purchases the boat.
This warranty applies exclusively to products
purchased and used in the United States.

Disclaimer And
Exclusion Of Warranties:

This warranty is meant to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the terms of all express warranties
offered by Bennett. To the extent permitted by law,
there are no warranties, express or implied, including
any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness
for a particular purpose extended by Bennett other
than the express warranty set forth in this
instrument. Some states do not allow the exclusion of,
or limitations to, implied warranties so the above
limitation may not apply to you.

Warranty Claim
Procedure

To make a claim please call Bennett Marine at
954-427-1400 to trouble-shoot the issue and start the
claim process. You will be asked to complete our Quick
and Easy Product Return Form and return the part
for warranty evaluation. Parts will be evaluated upon
receipt and any part found to meet the above warranty
criteria will be repaired or replaced at Bennett’s
option. Replacement or repaired part will be shipped
at no cost to customer via ground freight to US
destinations only. Any expedite methods will be at
customers expense.

Transferability

Before expiration of the warranty period, this Limited
Warranty is fully transferable to subsequent owners of
the boat on which it is originally installed and is
void if the product is removed and reinstalled on
another boat or is used for purposes for which it was
not originally purchased.

Limitation And
Exclusion Of Remedies

Bennett’s sole responsibility shall be the repair or
replacement, at its option, of any defective part or
component. In certain instances Bennett reserves the
right to provide refurbished parts. Customer agrees
that this is the sole and exclusive remedy under this
Limited Warranty. Bennett will not be responsible for
any incidental, consequential or indirect damages,
including loss of use as a result of any manufacturing
defect in a Product. Bennett will not be responsible
for labor, haul out, or any other fees associated with
the removal or installation of warranted part. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so this
limitation may not apply to you.

Product
Modification

Bennett reserves the right to change, modify or
improve the Products without obligation to incorporate
such changes in Products previously sold or installed.
With respect to components or products replaced under
this warranty, Bennett Marine reserves the right, in
its sole discretion, to provide updated or current
model components or products.

Warranty Period For Bennett Products

Product

Warranty Period

Commencement Date

Bolt Electric Actuator

Limited Lifetime

Products purchased after
9/1/15

Classic Hydraulic Actuator

Limited Lifetime

Products purchased after
9/1/15

Premier Stainless Steel
Actuator

3 years

Products purchased after
9/1/15

Stainless Steel
Hatch-lifters

3 years

Classic Hydraulic Pump

5 years

Control Switches

5 years

Electronic Indicator
Control

3 years

Auto Tab Retractor

3 years

Auto Tab Control

3 years

Relay Modules

3 years

Tab Gauges

3 years

NMEA Systems

3 years

***Please note, products not listed on the above
table are not covered under Bennett’s Limited Warranty.

***Limited Lifetime Warranty refers to the life of
the product, not the boat, or the owner. Limited
Lifetime Warranty ends when the product becomes unusable
for reasons other than manufacturing defects.

Dear Customer. We are proud to serve you with any assistance via
email ask@wmjmarine.com
or Toll free number at 1-877-330-9758for USA or (858) 720-0776 for International Customers.
Fax: 501-631-4759
__________________________________________________________________________________________